MONTGOMERY WOMAN ARRESTED FOR STEALING FUNDS

A woman from Montgomery who served as the business director of a non-profit food pantry is facing felony theft charges after allegedly stealing over 40 thousand dollars from the organization.  According to the Sun Gazette, the treasurer of Footprints of Montgomery food Pantry reported irregularities in the bank account to state police which led to the discovery of the missing money.  Police allege that  50 year old Shawn Gawblick, who left the business director position in February, illegally withdrew over 30 thousand dollars from the businesses bank account and misappropriated another almost 10 thousand for her personal expenses.  Police said in court recently that Gawblick has an extensive criminal history including theft by deception and forgery.  She is free on 25 thousand dollars bail.

PA TROOPER TRIAL BRINGS GUILTY VERDICT

The jury in the week-long trial of the PA state trooper involved in the deadly crash in Tioga County that killed a 47 year old teacher from the Troy Area School District  returned a guilty verdict of vehicular homicide Friday.  According to the Sun Gazette, court records say Michael Brown illegally crossed a double yellow line along Route 6 last February 11, attempting to pass a car and struck Christine Woodward in an oncoming vehicle – she died at the scene. A judge in Columbia County has yet to set a sentencing date, Brown remains free on bail until then.

BRIDGE WORK IN WATSONTOWN

Work will close the Watsontown River Bridge for three weeks as part of a preservation project, starting today.  According to PennDOT, Brimmer Avenue will be closed Tuesday between Route 15 in White Deer Township, Union County and Elm/Canal streets in Watsontown.  There will be work including deck patching, placement of an epoxy overlay, and milling and paving of the bridge approaches. A detour using Main Street, Route 44, and Route 15 will be in place until approximately Wednesday, June 26^th.

BACTERIA LEVELS COULD LOWER THIS WEEK

The high coliform levels that closed swimming at Raymond B. Winter State Park Halfway Lake over the weekend could be at an acceptable level to return to swimming early this week.  According to the Daily Item, park officials say that during routine testing after the heavy rain last week, the bacteria levels were at 300 per 100 milliliter when it needs to be below 245.  The results of new samples from the lake are expected back today or tomorrow and officials are confident the bacteria levels will be back to normal, resulting in a potential announcement of the reopening of Halfway Lake at the Union County Park.

TWO MEN ARRESTED FOR DRUG DEALING

A Williamsport man was arrested after he delivered 10 bags of fentanyl, that later got into the hands of a confidential informant in February.  According to North Central PA dot com, 47 year old Kyiem Randy Bradshaw is known by police for alleged numerous fentanyl deals within Williamsport, and they say Bradshaw assisted a dealer named Stevie Sanso and the police informant over the phone, directing the two on the type of drugs available and where they could come to pick them up.  When they arrived at a residence near Third and Walnut Street, Sanso was given the fentanyl.  Both Bradshaw and Senso were later charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.  Both men posted 50 thousand dollars bail.

POLICE SEEK TWO SUSPECTS WHO STOLE FROM VAPE SHOP

Police are seeking two suspects who police say stole cartons of cigarettes after they broke into the Muncy Puff Express store last Tuesday.  According to North Central PA dot com, the theft happened just before 3am at the East Water Street location after a rear door was forced open.  State Police at Montoursville said the suspects damaged the door and fled the scene after the theft.  Contact Muncy police at 570-546-8384 if you have information that would help the investigation. 

MORE RECYCLING OPTIONS IN UNION COUNTY

There are new recycling options for electronic waste in Union County.  According to the Daily Item, officials from the county say ReWorld and Goodwill Keystone Area recently announced they will provide free electronic waste recycling in 42 locations in 22 central and southeastern Pennsylvania counties, with the closest location in our region at the Goodwill Store & Donation Center, 175 International Drive, Lewisburg.  This will be the drop-off point for a wide variety of e-waste items from televisions and computers to other household electronics, with a goal to collect half a million pounds of electronic waste within the first year.  Officials from Goodwill say If the electronics cannot be repaired and sold, they will be responsibly recycled by ReWorld.

FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY NEXT WEEK

In in the spirit of the upcoming Flag Day observation in the US on June 14^th, there will be a flag retiring ceremony  hosted by the Coal Township VFW Post 317 on June 11^th.  According to the News Item, the public is encouraged to bring any old or tattered flags they want retired to the Coal Township Municipal Building, 801 W. Lynn Street next Tuesday at 6pm.  The dedicated drop-box for the proper disposal of tattered flags at the Coal Township VFW which was started in 2003 and has since collected more than 700,000 flags.

SPORTS

PIAA HS Softball  State Playoffs 1^st Round
Class A –      Old Forge 6                            Bucktail 3
Double A –   South Williamsport 15           Brandywine Heights 3
                     Bald Eagle Area 2                  Muncy 0
Triple A –    Midd-West 6                  Littlestown 2
                     Loyalsock  4                Mid Valley  2
Quad A –     Valley View 6               Jersey Shore 3
Class 5A –   Central Mountain 10     Penn Trafford 0
Class 6A –   Downingtown East 4     Williamsport 1
HS Baseball Playoffs 1^st Round
Class A –     MMI Prep 11                Millville 1
Double A –  Tri-Valley 10                 South Williamsport 9
                   Bald Eagle Area 9                   Lakeview 3
Quad A  –    Danville 6                      Scranton Prep 1
                   Indiana 3                        Bellefonte 0
Class 5A –   Selinsgrove 11               Lampeter-Strasburg 4

MLB
Phillies  3             Brewers  1
Mets  8                 Nationals 7
Orioles  7             Blue Jays  2
Angles 2               Padres  1
D’backs  4                     Giants 2
MLB Today
Dodgers vs  Pirates  6:40pm
Brewers  vs Phillies  6:40pm
Mets vs Nationals  6:45pm
Twins vs Yankees  7:05pm TBS
Orioles  vs Blue Jays   7:07pm

NHL Stanley Cup Final Game 1
Oilers vs Panthers  8pm ABC Sat. June 8^th

NBA Finals Game 1 Thursday June 6, 2024
Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics  8:30pm ABC
Game 2 Sunday 6/9 8pm ABC

NEW CEO FOR LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL

The Little League International Board of Directors has named a new President and Chief Executive Officer following the 40 year tenure of Stephen D. Keener who previously announced his retirement from the position effective December 31^st of this year.  According to a news release, Patrick Wilson was appointed yesterday by the board who they say will be at the helm of the organization as they reach to achieve future goals for success.  Wilson has held key operational and organizational roles including Tournament Director of the Little League International Tournament, and he was named Chief Operating Officer in 2020.  The board said Wilson is a steadfast leader, deeply committed to the organization and its values of inclusion, integrity, community, teamwork, and fun.  His role will commence January 1^st, 2025.

GUILTY PLEA OVER THEFT IN CASTANEA TOWNSHIP

A 35 year old man from Phillipsburg plead guilty this week to stealing cigarettes and cash after breaking into a convenience store in Flemington.  According to North Central PA dot com, in Clinton County Court Tuesday, Anthony John Harkinson admitted his crime that occurred last July 21^st  when he smashed the glass of the Sunoco on South Hanna Street in Castanea Township and took several cartons of cigarettes and two cash registers causing 20 thousand dollars worth of damage.  Harkinson has his sentencing hearing in July.

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN WATSON TOWNSHIP

Temporary traffic signals will be installed today on Route 44 between the intersections of Furnace Run Road and Route 973 in Watson Township, as crews work on an embankment stabilization project. One temporary signal will be installed approximately 1.5 mile north of the intersection with Furnace Run Road and another temporary signal south of the intersection with Route 973. The signals will be set to flash yellow until Monday, June 10^th when the signals will become fully operational. 

REUNION WEEKEND AT BUCKNELL

Bucknell’s reunion weekend for class years ending in 4 and 9 starts this Friday and continues through Sunday  with special recognition for the class of 1974, celebrating 50 years this spring  events and activities will take place all weekend including all-class celebrations and tours of campus, classroom sessions, and outdoor activities including Susquehanna River kayak trips and a golf tournament.  The Bucknell University Alumni Association awards reception and ceremony will be Saturday morning with more than 1,600 alumni and family members are expected to be on campus.  Get more details at Bucknell.edu.

TWO ADULTS AND JUVENILE CHARGED FOR ASSAULT ON TEENAGER

Two adults and a 15 year old boy were charged with assault and other charges after they went to another teenage boy’s home in Snyder County where the victim’s phone was stolen and he was beaten up on May 20^th.  According to state police at Selinsgrove, both 29 year old Wilson Andujar, of Middleburg, and 29 year old Victor Velez, of Shamokin Dam drove with the boy to the 17 year old victim’s home after the two had exchanged texts and then took part in the fight.  The teen suspect punched the victim several times and later destroyed the boys phone after driving away from the scene.  Andujar and the 15 year old were charged with harassment and other charges, Velez was only charged with harassment.

SENTENCING FOR FORMER MEMORY CARE EMPLOYEE

The former employee at a memory care facility near Lewisburg, who admitted to taking disturbing pictures of residents in her care last year, was sentenced this week in Union County Court.  According to the Sun Gazette, the original plea deal for 19 year old Madison Elaine Cox of Montgomery was previously rejected by Judge Michael Piecuch who ruled yesterday that she will be jailed for three months then 18 months of house arrest with electronic monitoring fines and intensive probation.  Cox will never again to able to be unsupervised with the elderly or with children.  A juvenile employee of Heritage Springs who was a co-defendant with Cox, was previously adjudicated in juvenile court.

JURY AWARDS PENN STATE DOCTOR 5.25 MILLION DOLLARS

A Penn State football team doctor who was in court claiming that the PSU head football coach, James Franklin, repeatedly interfered with medical decisions, has been awarded $5.25 million in the 2019 case.  According to PennLive, attorneys for Dr. Scott Lynch said he clashed with Franklin over treatment plans for injured players after the coach took over in 2014, and they sued PennState, Penn State Health, and Lynch’s supervisor who decided to remove him from his sports medicine position, Dr. Kevin Black. The jury in the 7 day trial awarded Lynch 250,000 in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. 

LAUREL FESTIVAL 10K EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Early bird registrants for the Laurel Festival 10k and 2-mile fun run coming up on June 15^th will get the free T-shirt if they sign up by June 1^st.  According to the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce, the 10k and the free shirts are sponsored by First Citizens Community Bank, and runners can register for the run at wellsboropa.com.  Registration will begin June 15^th at 7:45am at Packer Park on Queen Street in Wellsboro.  The weeklong festivities of the 82^nd annual, 2024 Laurel Festival are from Friday June 8^th and culminates with the coronation of this year’s Laurel Queen at Wellsboro High School on Saturday night June 15^th.

SPORTS

PIAA D4 Softball
Class 2A Championship Today
South Williamsport vs Muncy 4:30pm Elm Park

PA Sports News
Montoursville native Gavin Hoffman, who won 3 high school state wrestling championships and became an All American at Ohio State, will join the coaching staff at Lock Haven University as a volunteer assistant.

NBA West Finals Game 5 Today
Timberwolves vs Mavericks 8:30pm TNT DAL leads 3-1
NBA Finals Start June 6^th 8:30pm ABC

MLB
Rockies  7           Guardians  4
Game 1 – Tigers  8  Pirates  0
Game 2 – Pirates 10  Tigers 
Phillies  6            Giants  1
Dodgers  10        Mets  3
Orioles  6            Red Sox  1
Nationals  7        Braves  2
Yankees  2          Angels  1
MLB Today
Mets  vs Diamondbacks  7:10pm
Tigers vs Red Sox  7:10pm
Nationals  vs Braves  7:20pm
Yankees vs Angels  9:38pm

NHL West Final
Oilers  5              Stars  2  tied 2-2
NHL Tonight East Final Game 5
Panthers   vs Rangers  8pm ESPN  tied 2-2
NHL Friday West Final Game 5
Oilers vs Starts 8:30pm TNT tied 2-2

NEW YORK STATE MAN DIES IN ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 15

Pennsylvania State Police confirmed this weekend that 74 year old David N. Nagle died in a motorcycle accident Friday morning in Clinton Township which shut down the southbound lanes of Route 15 for several hours.  According to the Sun Gazette, Nagle crashed at the 4000 block of southbound side of Route 15 and according to Clinton Township Fire Department Chief Todd Winder, the concrete barrier separating the north and southbound lanes prevented more traffic trouble for the northbound side of the busy highway Friday morning.  Nagle, who was from New York State, was traveling with a group to a Memorial Day event for the weekend.

EIGHT THEFT CHARGES FOR WILLIAMSPORT WOMAN

A woman from Williamsport has been convicted of retail theft for an eighth time after police caught her under ringing items at a Walmart in Lewisburg April 12th.  According to North Central PA dot com, 40 year old Arilyn Kurtz used a false UPC code in her hand to ring in items at a much lower value at the self checkout, causing a 271 dollar loss for the store.  Kurtz is facing 18 felony retail theft charges and posted 5 thousand dollars bail.

NRAT ATV TRAIL OPEN FOR THE SEASON

In response to growing ATV purchases, registrations, and demand for increased riding opportunities, the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail, or N-RAT, opened for use this weekend and will remain open for riders through September 29th.  According to DCNR, N-RAT comprises a 650-mile riding area which includes parts of Clinton, Lycoming, Potter and Tioga counties. A 40 dollar permit for use of the trail is required for Pennsylvania registered ATVs and 60 dollars for out of state ATVs.  Get map information and details about permits at dcnr.pa.gov under the recreation tab.

FOOTBALL CAMP IN MEMORY OF STUDENT AT WARRIOR RUN

A Football and Cheer camp for kindergarteners through sixth graders will happen this summer at Warrior Run High School in memory Hunter Beck Reynolds who passed in a tragic car accident in February 2022.  According to the Daily Item, Hustle Football and Cheer Camp this summer, previously run by Heartland Youth Football and Cheerleading, will offer scholarships so that all kid who wish to can participate.  Hunter’s Heart and Hustle Foundation hosts the camps which also received a $500 grant from the Community Giving Foundation which will allow ten Warrior Run students to attend camp for free.  Camp starts 20^th with the registration deadline July 19 and the camp will max out at 350 athletes.  Register online at huntershearthustle.org.

OFFICERS ARREST DRUG DEALER AT LOYALSOCK SHEETZ

A Williamsport man was arrested after probation officers observed activity consistent with drug dealing at the Sheetz in Loyalsock Township.  According to North Central PA dot com, State troopers were called when officers saw 48 year old James Kane go out of sight behind the building to make a transaction prior to their search, which turned up marijuana, mushrooms, and THC pens.  State police searched his room at the Liberty Lodge and found other drugs and paraphernalia.  He was charged with possession with intent to deliver and posted 10 thousand dollars bail.

TRAFFIC STOP OF STATE COLLEGE MAN YIELDS DRUG DISCOVERY

State police in Milton discovered a driver from State College with crack cocaine during a traffic stop last fall and was recently arraigned in Union County Court .  According to the Daily Item, 41 year old Kio Manuel DeJesus-Pena was stopped around 11am October of 2023 on I-80 in White Deer Township by troopers who suspected illegal activity, and following a search, they found 15 plastic-wrapped baggies of crack cocaine and a glass pipe with suspected drug residue inside his black Hyundai Elantra.  Bail was set at 75 thousand dollars May 18^th and DeJesus-Pena has a preliminary hearing today.

WATER RATES SET TO RISE IN LOCK HAVEN

Water rates for in and outside the city limits in Lock Haven are set to increase this summer. in addition  to the implementation of  a PennVEST Surcharge.  According to city officials they have filed with the PUC for the increase and are waiting for approval.  If the rate increase takes place, the water department will be able to recover costs for PennVEST loans and meet rising operational costs and fund various system improvements that could take place by July 23rd. Water rates have not increased since 2011.

PA STARTS CLICK IT OR TICKET CAMPAIGN

The Click it or ticket campaign has begun in Pennsylvania and PennDOT and PA state police are encouraging you to buckle up when you get behind the wheel. PA requires all passengers in a car to buckle up and children under the age of two must be properly secured in a rear-facing car seat.  Children under four must be properly strapped in an approved car seat and children four to eight need a booster seat with a seat belt. IN 2023,  State Police say there were 11,756 unbelted crashes. As a result of those crashes, there were 316 fatalities. State Police at Montoursville provide free walk in child seat safety checks the 1^st Tuesday of every month.

SPORTS

PIAA  District  4  Softball  Today at Elm Park
Class 2A Semi Final
(2) Muncy vs (6)NE Bradford  3pm
(1) South Williamsport  vs (4) Troy  5pm
Class 3A  Semi Final (2) Loyalsock  vs (4) Midd-West  4:30pm

NBA East Finals
Celtics  105  Pacers  102 BOS wins  4-0
NBA Tonight West Finals Game 4
Timberwolves  vs Mavericks  DAL leads 3-0

MLB
Rockies  8            Guardians  6
Orioles  11                     Red Sox 3
Nationals  8          Braves  4
Giants 8               Phillies 4
Dodgers vs Mets postponed/rain
MLB Today
Red Sox vs Orioles  6:35pm
Pirates  vs Tigers 6:40pm
Dodger vs Mets  4:10pm/7:10pm TBS
Phillies  vs Giants  9:45pm

NHL West Final Game 3
Stars  5       Oilers  3  DAL leads 2-1
NHL East Game 4
Rangers vs Panthers  8pm ESPN NYR lead 2-1

NASCAR Sunday
Christopher Bell won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after the race was called around midnight Sunday due to wet weather with 151 laps remaining. The race had been red-flagged for more than two hours following a steady downpour.

Brad Keselowski finished second, followed by William Byron, Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin.